UPDATE, Feb 12th: Thanks to everyone who has reached out to us regarding this news. I doubt we'll get an exhaustive list, but it's obvious that the community team, producers and developers were all hit pretty hard. You can contact us at news@zam.com or directly to @Cyliena on Twitter if you have more information.

One year ago I took the above picture of a smiling Linda "Brasse" Carlson, the Director of Community Relations, in her expertly handmade dwarven regalia, on the Sony Online Entertainment campus.

About an hour ago the first confirmed layoff from the transition to Daybreak Games hit, with Linda posting on Facebook that "I have been released from the best and most challenging job I have ever had. I thank you all for being part of that incredible experience. Too many people to thank personally, but know that I am extraordinarily grateful and very curious where life takes me now."

Linda isn't the only one affected. EverQuest franchise Director of Development Dave "Smokejumper" Georgesonhas confirmed now on Twitter that he was laid off. EverQuest II artist Aaron "Gnobrin" Bisnett has also confirmed that he is gone, and we've been told that Systems Designer Akil "Lyndro" Hooper (confirmed now) from EQ/EQ2 has been let go as well.

Colette "Dexella" Murpheyposted the company's official statement; here are the key points:

Last week we announced that we were acquired and are now operating independently asDaybreak Game Company.

Unfortunately, this realignment means adjusting staffing as well. We announced today that wewill eliminate positions in our San Diego and Austin studios.

These reductions will not affect the operation of our current games and as mentioned above, willhelp better position our company for future success.

Daybreak's full statement is found after the jump. Tiffany "Amnerys" Spence has discussed turning over a new leaf on her blog, while former PlanetSide 2 producer David Carey posted an insightful public note to the community regarding the layoffs over on Reddit.

Lindsay "geektr0n" Ferguson hosts ZAM's latest installment of Friday Update Arcade! Topics discussed include the DJ Sona skin in League of Legends, the company formerly known as Sony Online Entertainment, Darkest Dungeon, Ubisoft and the Persona 5 game trailer.

UPDATE: Linda "Brasse" Carlson confirmed there will be no convention this year. "For those asking about SOE Live: we are taking a hiatus from our annual Live event to shift our focus to our exciting transition and the future of Daybreak Game Company."

Sony Online Entertainment will perform maintenance beginning at 8:00 AM PST on Monday, January 12, 2015. This maintenance is expected to last about two hours. This will impact the following SOE services:

Sony Online Entertainment has announced a maintenance affecting all games on December 16, 2014. The three-hour maintenance will start at 6:00am Pacific Time. This will impact the following SOE services:

Sony Online Entertainment has announced a one-day double Station Cash sale on Black Friday! This Friday, November 28th, when you buy Station Cash on the web, in-game, or with an SOE Game Card, the amount of Station Cash you get will be doubled! Double Station Cash will only awarded between 12:00am PT (U.S.) to 11:59:59pm PT, so don’t miss out!

Naturaly there will be in-game Marketplace deals on Cyber Monday, and special deals for All-Access Members that have yet to be announced. Stay tuned over the weekend for more information!

Fine Print: Cyber Monday deals and All Access member benefits apply only to SOE titles currently included in All Access. Promotion does not include Landmark, Dragon’s Prophet, or DC Universe Online (PSN Version).

Sony Online Entertainment is undergoing an unannounced maintenance which is affecting forum logins and commerce across all platforms. Players already logged into forums will be unaffected. Game logins seem to be fine. We're told they are working to finish it as soon as possible, but it may take up to an hour.

9:57am Pacific: Commerce is now unlocked for all games. Login issues are still being worked on.

10:25am Pacific: Maintenance has been completed and everyone should be able to log in now.